Dispensing package



Dec. 24, 1963 H. N` HOVLAND 3,115,293

` DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed Sept. l2. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HOWARD N. HOVLAND Pygmy@- ATTORNEYS Unted States Patent C) 3,115,293DISPENSING PACKAGE Howard N. Hovland, Appleton, Wis., assigner toAmerican Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey FiledSept. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 137,602 7 Claims. (Cl. 229-51) This inventionrelates to a tamperproof dispensing package which may be made from asingle multi-ply blank. More specifically, the invention relates to apackage having an opening means defined by a cut-out portion in one ofthe plies of the multi-ply packaging material and which is suitable foruse in packaging cigars, cigarettes and the like.

It is important in the packaging of cigarettes to provide a packagewhich in its original unopened condition maintains the freshness of thecigarettes to insure maximum shelf life. Therefore opening means whichutilize lines of weakness extending through the packaging materials tothe interior of the package are undesirable. Customarily cigarettes arepackaged by first enclosing them in contact with the paper portion of apaper-laminatedto-foil wrapper. They are then overwrapped with a printedpaper label covering all of the foil except at the top, and subsequentlyenclosed in a cellophane overwrap. The package is opened by utilizing atear strip integral with the cellophane to gain access at the end withthe foil showing. The opening is completed by removing the ,foillaminate exposing the cigarettes.

The use of three separate wrapping materials in the conventionalcellophane iwrapped package entails high material costs. Further, .thewrapping machinery is more involved than that required if a singlemulti-ply material were employed. Also, from the consumers standpoint,the necessity of making two openings, namely one through the cellophanewith the tear strip and then one through the foil is time consuming.From the standpoint of economy in material cost, of operation and time apackage involving only a single wrapping operation and a single openingmeans integral with and consisting of only the wrapping material wouldbe ideal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a packagemade of a composite multi-ply blank which utilizes the configuration ofthe plies to provide means for easy opening of the package.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package openingmeans which does not materially weaken the overall Strength of theunopened package.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a packageopening means which does not involve cutting entirely through the blankmaterial, which would destroy the freshness of articles encompassedWithin the sealed package.

Still another object of the present invention is to prowide a packageopening means which involves a minimum of die cutting in forming thepackage blank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package blankwhich may be folded and closed on machines employing standard foldingand gluing elements.

According to the present invention a package blank is formed of acomposite multi-ply sheet material. A portion of one of the plies is outaway in a predetermined area, exposing the underlying ply. When thepackage is folded and closed all of the underlying ply except for theexposed portion is covered. A tearin-g path for the exposed portion ofthe underlying ply is defined by the edges of the cut-out portion. Thepackage is opened by grasping an extending portion of the exposedunderlying ply and detaching along the defined tear path.

Further details, advantages and objects of the invention Frice will beapparent from the following specification and appended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the outside surface of an integral blanksuitably cut to form a tamperproof package having a tear-out openingmeans,

'FIGURE la is a partial sectional view of the integral blank taken alongline la-la of yFIGURE l showing the ply construction.

FIGURE 2a is a partial sectional view of the integral blank taken alongline Za-Za of FIGURE l showing the ply arrangement in the area of thetear-out portion.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG- URE l set up andpartially closed to form a package with the product enclosed,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the same partially Closed package at afurther stage,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the completed package in closed andsealed condition,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the same completed package showing thetear-out portion partially -removed,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the same completed package at afurther stage of opening,

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the same completed package at still afurther stage of opening, and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view showing the opened package.

Referring first to FIGURE l, the package is made of a single, foldable,composite blank A of flexible materials lsuch as paper, cfoil, plasticetc. The composite blank consists of at least two, and preferably three,plies laminated together to give the desired moisture or air imperviousqualities. In the preferred embodiment (see also FIGURE la), a web ofpaper tissue 3 isv suitably laminated to one side of a web of metal foil2. A web of paper 1 with spaced cut-out portions of predetermined sizeis then suitably adhered to the other exposed side of the foil ply 2.The foil 2 is exposed through the spaced cut-out portion provided in thepaper ply 1.

rIhe blank, shown in FIGURE l, is adapted to be folded so as to formpanels and flaps including main panels et), `62, side panels 6l, 63,glue panel 64, end panels 35, 36, 65, 69, side panel flaps 33, 33, 67,71, closure flaps 32, 34, 37, 39, `66, `63, 70, 72 and -glue panel flapsdit and 73. A portion in the outer ply 1 is cut out to define arectangular tear-out portion of the underlying ply designated by letterB (See also lFIGURE 2a). An extending tab 50` formed as an integral partof plies 2 and 3 serves to initiate the opening of the completedpackage. When the blanks A are cut successively from a continuous web,cut-out portion 51 will result in the edge of the blank opposite fromwhich the tab Si) extends. The function of the enumerated elements atthe upper-end of the blank will be more fully described hereinafter.

FIGURE la is a partial cross-section of the blank of FIGURE l showingthe arrangement of the plies. On the bottom of the blank and the insideof the finished package is the paper tissue ply 3 and on the top of theblank and the outside of the finished package is the paper ply l.Sandwiched between the two aforementioned plies is the foil ply 2.Similarly, FIGURE 2a is a partial cross section of the blank of FIGURE lshowing the arrangement of 4the plies. Since FIGURE 2a is taken throughthe area of the rectangular tear-out portion B, part of ply l ismissing. The perimeter of exposed ply 2 definedby the perimeter of theremoved portion of ply l defines the tear-out portion B.

The paper ply off blank A as shown in FIGURE 1 is positioned `on theoutside surface of the completed package. The blank is formed into apackage by folding the blank A around a mandrel in ya conventionalmanner to form the main panels 60, 62, side panels 61, 63, glue panel64, and end panels 65, 69. The outer side of glue panel 6d is coatedwith adhesive and adhered to the inner surface of main panel 60. Sidepanel flaps 67, 71, glue panel flap 73 and closure flaps 66, 68, 76, 72,are then folded inwardly and adhered in a conventional manner tocomplete the lower end closure. Next, the articles lto be packaged areinserted in the set-up package and the closing ci the top end commenced.Alternatively, since the package is symmetrical with regard to thepanels yand iiaps comprising the blank, the tcp end closure could 'bemade first and the articles to be packaged inserted throughl the bottom.

The closure is accomplished by iirst `folding in side panelv liaps 33and 38 along fold lines 11 and 13, respectively, to lie superposed ontop of the packaged articles parallel to the upper end of main panels 60and 62. Simultaneously, triangular closure iiaps 32, 37, 34 and 39'areinfolded about `fold lines 15, 18, 19, and 22, respectively, to liesuperposed against the inner surfaces of ythe extending end panels 30,36, respectively. Fold lines 16, 17, 20 and 21, connecting closure aps32, 3d, 37 and 39 to `side panel flaps 33 and 38, respectively, lieparallel and adjacent to the upper edges of main panels 60 and 62defined `by prospective fold lines 10' and 12. 'Ilhis stage in thelclosing ofthe package is shown in FIG- URE 2.

Next, adhesive is applied to the exposed inner surfaces or' closure aps34 and 37, and end panel 36 is then folded inwardly about `fold line 12to lie superposed on the ends of the packaged articles. Simultaneously,the adhesive bearing surfaces of closure aps 34 and 37 are adhered toside panel flaps 33 and 38, respectively, as shown in FIGURE 3. Theclosure is completed by applying a thin layer of adhesive to the exposedinner surfaces of closure aps 32 and 39 and -along the outer free edgeof end panel 30` except for tab 4Si); End panel 30 is then infolded tolie superposed on and adhered to end panel 36 at which time closureliaps 32 and 39 become adhered to the adjacent underlying iiaps to givethe completed sealed package shown in FIGURE 4.

In the closed package, portions 31, 33, and 35 of tearout portion B arevisible. Except for the aforemen- Itioned portions the entire surface ofthe underlying ply 2 is'covered. The edge of the outer ply 1intermediate panel 30 and portion 31 deiines the initial tear path foropening the package. Similarly the remainder of the tear path is`deiined by the edges of the outer ply 1 adjacent portions 31, 33 and 35Iand denoted by fold lines 10, l11, and 12.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the package is opened by grasping `the pull tab50 and pulling upward and away from main panel `62 toward panel 60, theedge of the outer ply 1 serving as a force directing line. Upon reachingthe opposite main panel 60 the direction or pull is changed'so thattearing occurs along fold line `1() towards side panel 61. Upon reachingthe juncture of fold line with fold line 11, the direction of pull isagain chan-ged so that tearing occurs along fold line 11 from fold line10 to fold line 12 as shown in FIGURE 6. The direction of tearing isagain changed upon reaching fold line 12 so that the tear-out portion is`freed along fold line 12 up to the juncture of the edge of portion 35with end panel 36, as shown in FIGURE 7. The removal is cornpleted bytearing portion 35 along the free edge 36a of the `outer ply of endpanel 36. FIGURE 8 shows the opened package ready for dispensing withthe itear-out portion removed. As is readily apparent, the tearing hasfollowed along the edges of the outer ply 1 of the package material.Since the tissue ply 3 `on the inner side of the foilply 2 offersrelatively little tear resistance and since it is laminated to the foil2, it is readily detached along with the foiltear-out portion. In orderfor ease of opening and successful operation in removal of the tear-outportion it is important that the underlying ply or plies yare frangibleenough to readily tear along the defined path when opening of thepackage is initiated.

It is readily apparent that the present invention 4is applicable to avariety of packages utilizing dierent sheet materials composed of pliesof a large variety of suitable sheet materials to provide opening meansas previously describe-d.

The present invention provides a package having a tamperproof openingmeans which does not destroy the ability of the package to maintain theIfreshness of the articles enclosed therein. Further the use of 'theedges of the outer ply ydirects the tearing 'force along a particulardelined path. The opening means is readily accessible and easilydetached, yet does not materially weaken the inner plies of thepackaging material. Although exempliied with the opening means on jus-ta portion of the top end of the package, it is understood that theopening means may be employed on either a smaller or larger area or thepackage.

I claim:

i1. In a `composite wrapper comprising multiple plies laminated togetherand adapted to be folded to form a rectangular cigarette package havingopposed main panels, and alternating therewith opposed side panels,flaps attached to the end edges of said side panels, and end panelsattached to the end edges of said main panels; a cut-out portion in theouter ply extending from one of said flaps into portions of the endpanels adjacent thereto defining a tear path in the Icompleted packagefor the underlying ply at least part of the edges of said cut-outportionl being located immediately adjacent prospective fold lines alongwhich fold lines said blank is folded to form a package; said edges ofthe cut-out portion in conjunction with the adjacent fold linesdetermining a force directing path for opening the completed package.

2. composite blank adapted rto be -formed into a rectangular cigarettepackage, said blank being divided by `fold lines into a pair of opposedrectangular main panels and, alternating therewith, a pair lof opposedrectangular side panels; end panels Aattached to the end edges of saidmain panels; and flaps attached to the end edges of said Aside panels;said blank comprising multiple plies laminated together with theoutermost ply having a cut-out portion located in one of said aps andextending into portions of the end panels immediately adjacent thereto;one edge of the cut-out portion essentially coinciding 'with the foldlines deiining the end edges off the adjacent main panels and sidepanel; the edges of said cut-out portion defining a tear path in thecompleted package for the underlying ply.

3. A dispensing package formed `Of a composite multiply blank cut `andfolded comprising a pair of opposed main panels, a pair of opposed sidepanels connected to the side edges of said main panels, opposed endpanels connected to the end edges of said main panels, flaps attached tothe end edges of said side panels and to the side edges of said endpanels; portions of the end panels adjacent the outer corners thereofbeing folded inwardly on diagonals running from the inner corners ofsaid end panels so as to lie between and against the inner surface ofadjacent portions of the end panels, said flaps lying in subpose'drelationship with respect to the infolded portions `of the end panels inthe completed package; the outer ply of said package having a cut outportion located in one of the flaps and extending into portions of theadjacent end panels defining a tear path for the underlying ply foropening package, with the edges of the cutout portion lying in closeproximity to the adjacent side and main panels so that the edges of thecut portion and the adjacent fold lines direct the tearing force along aspecific path to facilitate easy `opening of the package.

4. The package of claim 3 wherein the cut-out portion extends -anappreciable distance beyond the juncture of the diagonals Iwith theouter edges of the end panels.

5. The package of claim 4 wherein a pull tab extends outward from one ofthe end panels opposite the adjoining main panel between the end of thediagonal ,and the edge of the cut-out portion to facilitate initiatingthe,r

opening of the package.

6. A composite blank adapted :to be formed into a rectangular package,said blank being Idivided by fold lines into alternating pairs ofopposed main panels, and side panels, end panels and laps attached tothe end edges of said main panels and attached to said side panels,respectively; said blank comprising multiple plies with the outermostply having a cut-out portion located in one of said flaps and extendinginto portions of the end panels immediately adjacent thereto; theunderlying ply being frangible in the area underlying the cut-outportion so as to readily tear along -a tear path defined by the edges ofthe cut-out portion, the remainder of the blank being intact, integraland imperforate.

7. A composite blank 'adapted to be formed into a rectangular package,said blank being divided by fold lines into a pair of opposedrectangular main panels; a pair of opposed rectangular side panels; endpanels attached to the end edges of said main panels; and aps attachedto -the end edges of said side panels; said blank comprising multipleplies, the outermost ply having a cut-out portion located in one of saidllaps and extending into portions of the end panels immediately adjacentthereto, one edge of the cut-out portion essentially coinciding with thefold lines defining the end edges of the adjacent main panels and sidepanel; the underlying ply being frangible, in the area deiined by thecut-out portion so as to readily tear along a tear path formed by theedges of the cut-out portion in the outermost ply, the remainder of theblank being intact, integral and imperforate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,005,351 Rosenblatt June 18, 1935 2,688,434 Udel Sept. 7, 19542,826,296 Mullinix Mar. 11, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,033,267 Francek Apr.1, 1953

2. A COMPOSITE BLANK ADAPTED TO BE FORMED INTO A RECTANGULAR CIGARETTEPACKAGE, SAID BLANK BEING DIVIDED BY FOLD LINES INTO A PAIR OF OPPOSEDRECTANGULAR MAIN PANELS AND, ALTERNATING THEREWITH, A PAIR OF OPPOSEDRECTANGULAR SIDE PANELS; AND FLAPS ATTACHED TO THE END EDGES OF SAIDMAIN PANELS; AND FLAPS ATTACHED TO THE END EDGES OF SAID SIDE PANELS;SAID BLANK COMPRISING MULTIPLE PLIES LAMINATED TOGETHER WITH THEOUTERMOST PLY HAVING A CUT-OUT PORTION LOCATED IN ONE OF SAID FLAPS ANDEXTENDING INTO PORTIONS OF THE END PANELS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT THERETO;ONE EDGE OF THE CUT-OUT PORTION ESSENTIALLY COINCIDING WITH THE FOLDLINES DEFINING THE END EDGES OF THE ADJACENT MAIN PANELS AND SIDE PANEL;THE EDGES OF SAID CUT-OUT PORTION DEFINING A TEAR PATH IN THE COMPLETEDPACKAGE FOR THE UNDERLYING PLY.